Dumb question about oil filter fitment

[jcreyb]

I feel like a dope posting this question. I ordered some Mahle oil filters so as to change the oil in my '06 croc. I also ordered the plastic cap (the filter exterior) which also came with a filter element.

I pulled the old Porsche oil filter off, and I tried to put the new Mahle element on. It was impossible. The inner diameter of the element meant that it could not slide up over the nipple that the oil flows down from. I tried to use the plastic cap to "force" the element over the nipple, but I screwed the threads on it. When I compared the filter element to the original Porsche the inner diameter was at least 1/4" smaller. Compare the part numbers on the Mahle filter and it is listed as the correct part for my croc. When I put on the new Porsche filter that was included with the plastic cap, it slid right on over the nipple with the force I expected. And the plastic cap buttoned it all up nicely.

So, am I missing some sort of method of dealing with the element? Do I need to change anything in the handling of the element? I have ordered two new filters (one Porsche and another Mahle), and their part numbers are exactly correct according to the Porsche parts manual. They are exactly the same diameter, and they are the much smaller diameter. I haven't read of ANYONE else having this problem, but as I said when I put the Porsche filter on, it slid on with exactly the force I would have expected. Comments or tips appreciated!

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by jcreyb

I feel like a dope posting this question. I ordered some Mahle oil filters so as to change the oil in my '06 croc. I also ordered the plastic cap (the filter exterior) which also came with a filter element.

I pulled the old Porsche oil filter off, and I tried to put the new Mahle element on. It was impossible. The inner diameter of the element meant that it could not slide up over the nipple that the oil flows down from. I tried to use the plastic cap to "force" the element over the nipple, but I screwed the threads on it. When I compared the filter element to the original Porsche the inner diameter was at least 1/4" smaller. Compare the part numbers on the Mahle filter and it is listed as the correct part for my croc. When I put on the new Porsche filter that was included with the plastic cap, it slid right on over the nipple with the force I expected. And the plastic cap buttoned it all up nicely.

So, am I missing some sort of method of dealing with the element? Do I need to change anything in the handling of the element? I have ordered two new filters (one Porsche and another Mahle), and their part numbers are exactly correct according to the Porsche parts manual. They are exactly the same diameter, and they are the much smaller diameter. I haven't read of ANYONE else having this problem, but as I said when I put the Porsche filter on, it slid on with exactly the force I would have expected. Comments or tips appreciated!

The correct inner diameter for a filter for your car is 24MM. That said, the paper end capped filters always start smaller than the opening when they are removed in order to form a seal over both the engine nipple and the bypass valve in the bottom of the canister. So a used filter will always have a larger opening than a new one.

[jcreyb]

Thanks Jeff, so one more question is raised:
How hard do I have to force the element over the nipple? It was impossible for me to force it over the thing, so I resorted to using the plastic cap to aid me in the thought that I had not centralized it properly. The amount of force to get it on was obscene, and well beyond my physical abilities.

So, my thought is that Alberta Porsche dealers charge $450 for an oil change so that they can pay for gym memberships for their mechanics? Kidding of course, but you get my drift...

[JFP in PA]

We normally drop the filter into the canister and then screw it on. That said, we do not use filters with treated paper end caps as they have been known to tear and leak, creating a 100% bypass. We only use rigid end cap filters from Wix, which have a finer filter media, seal without chance of compromise, and cost about half what a Porsche filter cost:

[jcreyb]

I will change to Wix filters immediately. I appreciate your assistance -this little question has been plaguing me.